Can you clear this up for me?
I was told autism is a 'spectrum disorder'
It is Autism Spectrum Disorder
Spectrum means a circle of unless colours in different shades
Light or dark
Hot or cold

So why is it rated by functionality?!

I am 'high functioning', I can succeed in life with no support.
If that is the truth
Why do I panic at every sound?
Why can't I process information?
Why am I not as social than I should be?

I know someone who is 'low functioning'
I am told they won't succeed at life
But they draw beautiful pictures
So does that mean they will not succeed?

So tell me
Is the spectrum a lie?
Or is the functionality a myth?

I am the architect of my own bell-jar.
I designed it myself,
took away the edges
to leave only smooth curves.
Meticulous work,
done almost lovingly
but not quite.

Here, one could get comfortable,
immune to the waves that crash around you.  
Of course you can see them, those great walls of water,
yet you are defended in your fortress of glass
borne not of sand
but of life's consequences;
biological quirks.

I saw my bell-jar rise around me
and now can almost call it home.
I frequent it so often;
I know every inch of it,
all of its reflected imperfections,
and while it may hollow,
cold,
I understand it.
Both shelter and prison
to begin and to end
with me.

Deep inside a forest
Hushed whispers can be heard
A creature of humanity bereft
Has got the nightlife quite disturbed

Eyes as black as blood
Reflect in the moonlight
Bare feet buried in mud
A sharp smile widened in delight

Skin pitch black
Leather to the touch
Antlers on its head
A stag in its clutch

Sharp claws caressing its snout
An unusual couple
There never was a doubt
That the stag would either
Bustle, shuffle, struggle or buckle
Instead it muzzled, nuzzles, cuddles and snuggles
All the while the creature subtle chuckles

Blending into darkness
Ready to strike and attack
You can feel each others fondness
Of him and the black feathered stag

•i        
     was    
         once    
              whole    
               •full and
                    complete•
                       grand desi-
                          gns adorned
                              upon my very
                               soul•always...
              ­                  would land on
                                    my feet•my wo-
                                     rds now partially
                                      broken•resembli-
                     ­               ng that of an ail-
                                   ing crescent• i...
                                 am still here, i...
                               watch and i lis-
                           ten• scouring
                        for mediocre
                 remnants
             that still
         remain
 abs
en  
t•      
.